Midwifery News and Research

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New Charleston museum nods to historical roots of us health disparities

Maude Callen, a Black nurse-midwife, delivered more than 800 infants across the South Carolina Lowcountry starting in the 1920s, when segregation made it difficult for Black people to get medical care.

27 Jun 2023

Giving birth outside of working hours in England does not carry higher risk of infant mortality

A new study suggests that between 2005 and 2014, for almost all births in England, being born outside of working hours did not carry a significantly higher risk of death to the baby from anoxia (lack of oxygen) or trauma, when compared to births during working hours.

13 Jun 2023

Experts investigate the potential impacts of a midwifery education app

An international research team from Tanzania and Japan created a smartphone app and conducted a pilot study of how the app might be used to improve midwives' knowledge and skills in Tanzania. Their study focused on the app's potential effects on the learning outcomes of midwives and birth preparedness of pregnant women in Tanzania.

6 Jun 2023

People receiving midwifery care during childbirth report positive experiences

People giving birth report more positive experiences when cared for by midwives in both hospitals and in community settings than by physicians, according to a new study published in the journal Reproductive Health.

23 May 2023

Does birth setting impact birth outcome?

In the USA, the vast majority of mothers deliver in hospitals, with less than 2% giving birth in birth centers or at home. However, few systematic attempts have been made to understand how the latter trend impacts maternal health. A new research paper published in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology uses available data to conclude that hospital births provide better perinatal outcomes in all cases, with increased benefits in high-risk pregnancies.

14 May 2023

Shortages of health workers strongly associated with higher death rates

Shortages of health workers such as doctors, nurses and midwifery staff are strongly associated with higher death rates, especially for certain diseases such as neglected tropical diseases and malaria, pregnancy and birth complications, diabetes and kidney diseases, finds an analysis of 172 countries and territories, published by The BMJ today.

12 May 2023

An overview of mothers’ lived pregnancy experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic

Researchers aimed to understand mothers' experiences of pregnancy during the COVID-19 pandemic.

24 Apr 2023

Just one extra scan could save mothers-to-be and their babies from complications

Adding a third routine scan at the end of pregnancy can slash the number of unexpected breech births by 70% and the risks of the baby being born with severe health complications, according to research led by doctors at St George's, University of London, and published in PLOS Medicine.

6 Apr 2023

The effects of COVID-19 on stress, depression, and anxiety in pregnant and postpartum women

A recent study published in the journal Midwifery evaluated depression, stress, and anxiety in pregnant and postpartum individuals during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

23 Mar 2023

Elimination of midwife care mostly affects lower-income, marginalized populations

Ascension Health recently announced that it would eliminate midwife care from its Alternative Birthing Center in Southfield, Michigan, despite increased demand for services in the state—a demand that follows a national trend.

22 Mar 2023

The US remains a grim leader in preterm births. Why? And can we fix it?

Tamara Etienne's second pregnancy was freighted with risk and worry from its earliest days — exacerbated by a first pregnancy that had ended in miscarriage.

16 Mar 2023

Experts launch new online resource to support people with Long Covid and improve care

The first resource of its kind to support those living with Long Covid and the healthcare professionals involved in their care, has been launched by experts from the University of Stirling.

15 Mar 2023

Understanding the experiences of Dutch transgender people with maternity care

Transgender men can, and often wish to, become pregnant. However, they do need extra guidance and care providers often lack the necessary knowledge and skills.

1 Mar 2023

Midwives provide safe primary care for pregnancies of all risk levels, study shows

New UBC research shows that midwives in British Columbia are providing safe primary care for pregnancies of all medical risk levels, contrary to a popular belief that midwives mostly manage low-risk pregnancies.

27 Feb 2023

Being, Doing, and Having all work together to support a healthy pregnancy

“Balanced integration of Being, Doing and Having combine to support Deep Health in pregnancy.” This is the basic theme of a new paper on women’s perceptions of what it means to have a healthy pregnancy, integrating several wide-ranging aspects of health and healthcare.

20 Feb 2023

Can social media influencers impact pregnancy and parenting?

A systematic review published in the journal Midwifery describes that social media influencers and bloggers can negatively and positively influence pregnant women and new parents and that the exposure may impact early parenting experiences and decision-making.

20 Feb 2023

Watch: In insurers’ eyes, not all midwives are equal

Vanessa Garcia Clark wanted a more personal, nontraditional birth when she was pregnant with her son. She hired a midwife and gave birth at her home in California.

15 Feb 2023

Community resurrects Colorado birth center closed by private equity firm

When a private equity firm closed Seasons Midwifery and Birth Center in Thornton, Colorado, in October, the state lost one of its few non-hospital birthing centers and 53 families with pregnancy due dates in November and December were left scrambling to find providers.

9 Feb 2023

PFA training can help healthcare workers to overcome stress and strengthen resilience

A new study has shown that Psychological First Aid, training originally created for people to support others, can help healthcare workers in care homes improve their own mental wellbeing.

4 Nov 2022

UniSA’s new degree program to bolster midwifery workforce and support rural communities

Expectant mothers in South Australia’s Eyre Peninsula and northern regions will benefit from greater access to specialist midwifery care, as the University of South Australia introduces the Bachelor of Midwifery at its Whyalla campus from 2023.

28 Sep 2022